Top 5 Black Hair Growth Myths
Top 5 Black Hair Growth Myths
Why is it that black women have such a hard time growing lengthy
locks? A lot of us haven't seen long hair since we were
children. For many reasons; political, social, cultural; we have
desired long hair. Black women don't have to struggle with
growing our hair. The following 5 myths have contributed to the
lack of hair growth in black women.
1. Black Women Can't Grow Hair: This is just an out and out lie.
Do other ethnic groups have a genetic monopoly on long hair? Is
there something special, or flawed, about black hair that
prevents it from growing? Is there some funky gene tied to
melanin that prevents hair growth? No, no, and no. Black women
can grow hair. Black women do grow hair. Don't you have to go
for a touch-up on your relaxer or color every 6 to 8 weeks? Then
your hair is growing. The question is how to keep it on your
head. Black hair has special needs and can't be treated like
straight hair, which leads us straight to our other myth.
2. Only 'Mixed' Women Can Grow Hair: Another long-standing lie.
There is a reason that mixed women tend to have longer hair.
Sometimes, not all of the times, 'mixed' women have a looser
curl. The looser the curl the more that it retains moisture. The
more moisture it retains the less breakage occurs. Also, every
bend in a curl is an opportunity for breakage. Looser curls have
less bends than tight curls. The hair stays on the head and
length is achieved. Tight, kinky curls are very dry. They
require extra care and attention to achieve long lengths, but
with proper cultivation they can grow just as long as looser
curls.
3. Greasing the Scalp: This comes from the dryness of kinky
hair. In an effort to give moisture the scalp is often coated
with Vaseline or mineral oil. While natural oils are an integral
part of a black hair growth regimen, petroleum jelly and mineral
oil are not. These products coat the scalp and suffocate the
hair follicle. Hair growth slows down and sometimes stops
completely.
4. Dirty Hair Grows: This is another myth that arose out of the
dryness of kinky hair. In an attempt to prevent the dryness we
feel after shampooing, many of us stop washing our hair for 2 to
3 weeks at a time. Again, the scalp must be clear of debris for
hair follicles to thrive and produce hair. Dirty hair is just
that, dirty. And it doesn't grow any faster.
5. Relaxed Hair Can't Grow: Many of us have seen black women
with long beautiful dreads and have drawn the conclusion that we
must go natural to get length. Relaxed hair is much weaker than
natural hair and will break faster. You will get length fast if
you go natural. However, if relaxed hair is nurtured and
cultivated it will grow just as long, just as fast, as natural
hair. All you need to know is how.
These are the top 5 hair growth myths. Black women can grow
their hair. We just need to be taught how to care for and
nurture our hair.